Independent Report
ISLAMABAD (November 12): Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has invited local and international investors to explore the province’s mineral and energy potential, assuring them of enhanced security, streamlined approvals and a conducive business environment.
Addressing the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 in Islamabad on Thursday, the chief minister said the provincial government was committed to removing unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles and providing investors with one-window services to facilitate projects.
He said a dedicated security division had been established for the protection of the mineral corridor, while efforts were also under way to raise a new Frontier Corps wing to reinforce security arrangements at mining sites.
Bugti maintained that the federal and provincial governments, working in coordination with local communities, were determined to safeguard investment while ensuring that development generated lasting benefits for the people of the province.
Referring to Balochistan’s reputation for hospitality and trust, he cited the example of a camp operated by Barrick at Reko Diq, which, he said, remained without security guards for more than a decade. According to the chief minister, company officials found nothing missing when they returned, which he presented as evidence of the confidence that could be placed in local communities.
He urged potential investors to assess conditions in Balochistan through direct engagement and firsthand visits rather than relying solely on negative perceptions.
The chief minister said the Reko Diq mining project was expected to enter operations by 2029, describing it as a major opportunity for job creation, industrial expansion and broader economic activity.
He also pointed to encouraging prospects in the oil and gas sector, particularly in Saroona, where he said significant discoveries could potentially emerge within the coming months. Bugti suggested that the prospective reserves could be larger than the historic gas deposits associated with Sui, while no confirmed reserve estimates or production schedule were provided.
He further announced plans to establish a fertilizer city in Sui in collaboration with the federal government. The proposed industrial initiative would make use of locally available low-BTU gas and is intended to support both industrial activity and the agricultural economy.
On investment facilitation, Bugti said the government would introduce one-window arrangements to make regulatory procedures easier and reduce delays in obtaining approvals.
He also highlighted the Balochistan Mines and Minerals Act, noting that its passage by the provincial assembly represented political consensus on establishing a clearer and more transparent regulatory framework for mineral-sector investment.
The chief minister encouraged investors from Pakistan and abroad to visit Balochistan, examine its natural-resource potential and interact directly with local communities.
He reiterated that the government’s broader objective was to convert the province’s mineral and energy wealth into productive investment, employment opportunities and sustainable economic gains for the people of Balochistan.
